Generators

When you back up your home with a Standby Generator you never have to worry during power outage or feel powerless. At LMV Electric we offer installation of an extensive line of air cooled Generac Generators from 7kw – 22kw.

GUARDIAN 8 KW GENERATOR

Back up your most essential circuits, like your furnace, refrigerator, and the main rooms of your house. Keep the necessities running during a power outage.

Guardian 11 kW Generator

Provides essential circuit power protection for your home, ensuring the necessities remain powered during an outage. Has the ability to backup a 3-ton air conditioner, well pump or water heater, and the main rooms of your house.

Fixed Generator / Stand-by Generator or Portable Generator Installation

If you would like to install Fixed Generators / Stand-by Generators or or Portable Generator let us know. We install all brands of Generators like Generac, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Onan, Kohler, GE, Winco, Baldor, Centurion, Rheem, Milbank, Guardian, Honeywell, Carrier, Honda, Katolight, Caterpillar, Gillette, and many more.

Guardian 16 kW Generator

Provides essential circuit power protection for your home, ensuring the necessities remain powered during an outage or up to whole house coverage when paired with one of Generac’s load- shedding switches. Capable of backing up a five ton air conditioner.

Guardian 20 kW Generator

One of the most powerful air-cooled generators on the market today, the Guardian Series 20 kW automatic home standby generator can provide whole-house backup power for many homes.

Guardian 22 kW Generator

The 22 kW Guardian® Series home standby generator is the largest air-cooled home standby generator on the market. Not only does it deliver all the features and functionality customers have come to expect from the market-leading brand of home standby generators, but with an MSRP that is the lowest cost per kilowatt of any air-cooled home standby generator. The 22 kW Guardian® Series home standby generator provides whole house coverage for many homes.

Generac Protector Series 30 kW Standby Generator

All the conveniences of modern living – heat, central air, refrigeration, communication – are nothing without power. When the power supply is disrupted, our lives and businesses can come to a sudden halt. An automatic standby generator protects you from power failures, restoring power within seconds of an outage, so you can have peace of mind and the power you need.

1.You have decided to purchase a generator. Where to start?

Before purchasing a standby generator or portable generator please consider how you’ll be using it. Our installers at LMV Electric can help you choose a proper type of a generator that is correctly sized for the application you have in mind.

a)         Portable Generator

If you are ok with hauling a generator outside and plugging in cords when there is a power outage a portable generator is a good choice for you. Portable generators are gasoline-driven.  They are not designed to be connected to your home or any building wiring. Do not attempt to personally install these devices to your electrical panel. Call our licensed electrician for help at 773-575-8252 if you would like to connect it to your home or building wiring.  A dangerous condition called “Back Feeding” can be produced if a portable generator is improperly connected to electric wiring. A person can be electrocuted or critically injured. Back feed into power lines from a generator could create “hot” power lines during an outage. Linemen who expect the line to be de-energized could be injured. A good way to avoid “back feeding” is to install a double-pole, double-throw transfer-switch gear. At LMV Electric our licensed electricians are authorized by Generac as fully qualified and can install a generator and the transfer switch so that a dangerous back feed can be prevented. Even small, portable electric generator – if it is used incorrectly – can threaten you safety. To protect yourself and your family call us at 773-575-8252 if you have any questions or concerns about your generator or if you would like to know where to safely operate it. Please remember to locate your portable generator outside so poisonous carbon monoxide gas is exhausted. Never operate a generator in an enclosed building, especially in a building attached to a dwelling. Fumes from burnt fuel can be deadly. Please make sure the generator has proper ventilation, and there is air flow around the generator. Do not use a portable generator in a flooded basement. That could be a dangerous combination. In addition, make sure your hands are dry, that you’re standing in a dry place, and the generator is properly grounded whenever you operate your generator. Remember to use gasoline safely. Do not use flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline! Never fuel a generator when the generator is running. Some questions to ask yourself before buying a portable generator: Are you ok with your employees, wife or children hauling out the generator and plugging things in? Do you want them to start up the system, switch the transfer switch or having them refuel the generator? If you are concerned about that or concerned about the liability a portable generator is not the best choice for you

b)  Standby Fixed Generator

An automatic standby generator is a backup electrical system that operates whether you are home or away. The automatic or fixed standby generator operates on natural gas or liquid propane gas (done by others). The automatic standby generator sits outside your home just like a central air conditioning unit. The noise level is comparable to, but much quieter than, a gasoline portable generator. The automatic standby generator unit is fully enclosed and insulated. It is fully automatic and the only thing you need to do is check on it once a week to make sure the oil level is correct and the system reads “Ready.” A standby generator can be a convenient source of power around your home or business when dealing with unpredictable weather and the occasional resulting power outage. Standby electric generators can provide you an extra sense of security. Within seconds of a power outage, it automatically supplies power to your home’s or business’s electrical panel. After the utility power returns and is sustained, the transfer switch will restore the utility power back to your house and the automatic standby generator will be shut off until the next power outage. Standby generators are connected directly to building wiring.  However, the wiring needs to be properly installed by a qualified licensed electrical contractor. Properly installing a “permanent” generator is extremely dangerous, and not a handyman or “do it yourself” job. Usually an electrical permit from your local municipality is necessary for installation. The installer needs to adhere to local codes and regulations, not only to obey the law but to make sure the improper installation does not void your insurance by installing equipment illegally or without permits. Our licensed electricians at LMV Electric care about the proper location of your standby generator and know how to safely and correctly install the generator so you do not have any problems and your warranty is not voided.

2. Why should I buy an automatic standby generator instead of a portable generator?

There are many advantages of an automatic standby generator over a portable generator during a utility power outage. The automatic backup generator is completely automatic. The homeowner never has to refuel the automatic backup generator because it is hard piped into the home’s gas supply. The automatic backup generators are much quieter than portable generators because they run on a cleaner emitting fuel and they are fully enclosed in an insulated and weatherproofed enclosure. The owner of an automatic standby generator can actually stand next to the generator while it is running and have almost a normal voice conversation with someone. The owner of an automatic backup generator does not need to plug and unplug anything during a power outage. The best part of a standby automatic generator is that you do not have to be home for the generator to protect your house or business. It is constantly monitoring power supply and it is always ready to turn on whether you are at home, at work, or on vacation! Automatic backup generators are also much more reliable because of weekly self-tests. You never know if your portable generator will start if it has sat in your garage for a year!

Call us today at 773-575-8252 to schedule a free estimate for your automatic standby generator installation in Mount Prospect.

3. What is a Transfer Switch?

Transfer switch is a manual or automatic switch that is installed where a backup generator is located, so that the generator may provide temporary electrical power if the utility source fails. Automatic Transfer Switch will automatically “tell” the backup generator to start during the outage and it will break the home’s connection to the electric utility. When utility power returns for a minimum time, the transfer switch will transfer the house back to utility power and command the generator to turn off. A transfer switch can be set up to provide power only to critical circuits like heating and cooling equipment or to entire electrical panel or subpanel.

4. Where on premises a standby generator should be located?

Usually the generator set should be installed outdoors, where adequate cooling and ventilating air is always available. Standby generator should not operate near standing water, water sprinklers, landscape irrigation or any other water source. The generator needs to be protected from leaves, grass, snow, strong winds etc. There must be sufficient room on all sides of the generator for maintenance and servicing.  It can not be installed under wooden decks or structures unless there is at least 5ft. (1.52m) of clearance above the generator, 3ft. (.91m) of clearance on sides and front, and a minimum of 18in. (457mm) of clearance at the back of the unit. Generator should be located at least 5ft. (1.52m) from openings in walls and at least 5ft. (1.52m) from structures having combustible walls. The generator should be installed as close as possible to the fuel supply and the transfer switch to reduce the length of piping. The generator must be installed on a level surface and typically placed on pea gravel, crushed stone or a concrete pad. Check local codes to see all installation requirements. Generator exhaust contains DEADLY carbon monoxide gas. Do not place the unit near windows, doors, fresh air intakes (furnaces, etc.) or any openings in the building or structure, including windows and doors of an attached garage. Those are general rules need to be verified with your local municipality. At LMV Electric we can verify your local requirements before selecting a location for your new standby generator and can help you secure all required permits before starting the job. Do not be fooled, your neighbors will notice the new generator and if installed incorrectly your municipality will require you to fix it! At LMV Electric we do it right the first time!

5. Do I need a permit for a fixed standby automatic generator installation?

You should secure all required permits from your local municipality before starting the job. Do not be fooled, your neighbors WILL notice the generator and if it installed incorrectly your municipality will require you to fix it! If a handyman tells you otherwise they might be afraid their workmanship will not be acceptable to the inspector. Do you really want them to install the automatic generator for you? We strongly recommend that the installation of a stand by generator be performed by a licensed electrical contractor not a handyman. Licensed electricians have the tools, the know-how and an understanding of regulations and local codes. In the long run the expertise will save you headache and money. Most important of all, your system must be inspected before starting to prevent fires and explosions from improper installation.  Properly installing a “permanent” generator is extremely dangerous, and not a handyman or “do it yourself” job. At LMV Electric we adhere to all local codes and regulations, not only to obey the law but to make sure the improper installation does not void your insurance by installing equipment illegally or without permits. Our licensed electricians at LMV Electric care about the proper location of your standby generator and know how to safely and correctly install the generator so you do not have any problems and your warranty is not voided.

6. Why should I choose LMV Electric to install a standby generator for me?

a. Your generator warranty can be voided by an improper installation. At LMV Electric we have the electrical expertise and training necessary to properly install your standby automatic generator. It is much more convenient, safe and cost-effective to have your generator installed properly from the beginning than to try to modify a faulty installation later.

b. We are Fully Licensed and Insured Electricians.  Properly installing a “permanent” generator is extremely dangerous, and not a handyman or “do it yourself” job.

c. We follow all codes. Our licensed electricians at LMV Electric have the knowledge of applicable codes, generator function, proper sizing, appropriate location, proper sizing and installation of gas lines, choice of circuits to back up, choice of and installation of the transfer switch, familiarity with available products.

d. We only use the best products available to install all of your components.

e. LMV Electric will properly size a generator to fit your exact needs.  There are many different options, combinations, and setups and we will advise what will work best for YOU within YOUR budget.

f. We offer free estimates. Every install is a custom install.  We customize the electrical and gas components. Price will depend on the size of the generator, its location, and level of the installation difficulty. Remember, you get what you pay for.  If you think the price of our competitors is too good to be true, then you’re probably right.

g. We install your generator safely and in such a way that you will get optimal use, for your product’s lifetime. We back up our installation, satisfaction guaranteed!

7. What is included in every stand by generator installed at LMV Electric?

a. Standard 5 Year Generac’s Limited Warranty on air-cooled products.  Refer to Generac documentation.

Before you hire anyone to install an automatic standby generator remember: Improper installation of a stand by generator can result in personal injury and damage to the generator. It may also result in the warranty being suspended or voided. We advise you to hire a qualified licensed electrician to perform the installation and fallow proper location clearances and pipe sizes.

a.    Secure all required permits before starting the job.

b.    Fully comply with all relevant NEC, NFPA and OSHA standards as well as all federal, state and local building and electric codes.

c.    Choose a location for the automatic standby generator. General rules:

• Locate the mounting area as close as possible to the transfer switch and fuel supply.

• Leave adequate room around the area for service access (check local code), and place high enough to keep rising water from reaching the generator.

• Choose an open space that will provide adequate and unobstructed air flow.

• Place the unit so air vents won’t become clogged with leaves, grass, snow or debris. Make sure exhaust fumes will not enter the building through eaves, windows, ventilation fans or other air intakes (see the “Site Selection” section).

• Select the type of base, gravel or concrete, as desired or as required by local laws or codes. Verify your local requirements before selecting location or base type!

d.    If necessary install electrical sub-panel with transfer switch next to the main electrical panel and redirect critical circuits from main panel to sub-panel.

e.    Install and connect gas lines (done by others). The gas supply and pipe must be sized at 100% load BTU. Check local codes for details. Gas pipe sizing is the most commonly made mistakes and a properly sized gas pipe is critical to the operation of the generator. It is very important to strictly adhere to all safety procedures, codes and regulations. Gas line connections should be made by a certified plumber familiar with local codes.

f.    Electrical Connection. Electrical wiring must be in accordance with local jurisdiction and codes. Install the conduit and Main AC and Control Wires between the generator and the transfer switch. Remember about proper wire size and type.

g.    Install proper battery. In Illinois where temperatures regularly fall below 32° F (0° C), it is recommended that a pad type battery heater be installed to help in cold climate starting. This is available as a Cold Weather Kit.

h.    Generator activation.  Activating the generator is a simple, one-time process that is guided by the controller screen prompts.

i.    Exercise timer setting. Once exercise timer is set the generator will start and exercise every 7 days at the specified time. The generator will run for approximately 12 minutes and then shuts down.

j. Initial Generator Start up.

k.  Generator test under load.

l.  System check for proper automatic operation.

At LMV Electric we strongly recommend that the installation of a stand by generator be performed by a licensed electrical contractor not a handyman. Licensed electricians have the tools, the know-how and an understanding of regulations and local codes. In the long run the expertise will save you headache and money. Most important of all, your system must be inspected before starting to prevent fires and explosions from improper installation.